Federal University Of Agriculture , Abeokuta Research Articles

Assessment of Macro and Micro Mineral Compositions at Different Depths of Forest Nursery Soils in Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria

Forest soil is characteristically fundamental in the establishment of healthy seedlings for eventual planting out on the field. It is composed of mineral particles, organic matter, water, air, and numerous microorganisms. Two forest nursery soils at different depths were investigated at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) for their mineral compositions. With the aid of a soil auger, twenty soil samples were randomly collected from different points in two sites at different depths (0-15 cm and 15-30 cm, air dried and taken to the laboratory for further analysis. Site 1 and site 2 (frequently cultivated portion for agroforestry bare-root seedlings and intermittently used portion). The obtained data were subjected to descriptive statistics. The composition of mineral elements varied with sites and depths. The level of Potassium was higher at depths 0 – 15 cm and 15 – 30 cm in site 2 than other macro-minerals (Sodium, Calcium and Magnesium) when compared between sites. The order of concentration includes K>Mg>Na>Ca. Micro-minerals were significantly higher at soil depth 0 – 15 cm in site 2 than site 1 (Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu). At soil depth 15 – 30 cm, levels of copper, zinc and manganese were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in site 1 with the following trend Cu>Fe>Zn>Mn. The study showed that forest nursery soils varied in their mineral composition along with depth in the studied sites. Site 2 had better physicochemical properties and higher level of some essential minerals needed for good performance of seedling growth at nursery stage.

Assessment of Soft Competencies Strategies Among Information Professionals’ in Selected Academic Institutions in South West, Nigeria

The library is a service-focused organization. As a result, in addition to having technical expertise, an information professional heading a library needs soft skills to deliver high-quality services to stakeholders and improve performance. This essay is the outcome of research done in academic institutions in South West, Nigeria, to identify the soft skill attributes that information professionals need in order to efficiently and successfully manage libraries, as well as to look at the soft skill attributes in information professionals. Studying the soft skill performance was done with stakeholders including students, non-teaching personnel, and teaching staff in mind. Questionnaires were distributed in the institutions located in six geographical location which University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti. From each institution 5 teaching staff, 5 non-teaching staff and 10 students were identified for the study and were asked to rate soft skill performance of Information professional of their respective institutions. The findings demonstrated that there are no appreciable differences in the soft skill performance of information professionals across the Southwest Nigerian academic institutions. Additionally, the study's conclusion said that there is a positive association between information professionals' performance in soft skills as reported by stakeholders and the soft competencies that all stakeholders from the institutions demand. The authors have provided some recommendations to enhance the performance of information professionals in the institutions with respect to soft skills based on the study's findings.

Growth, Fruit Characteristics and Seed Yield of Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) in Response to Fertilizer Application

Background: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is a staple fruit vegetable, one of the most important vegetables worldwide. There is high demand for tomato planting materials (seeds) in Nigeria. Methods: Experiment was conducted at the Directorate of University Farms, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria (7°, 25'N, 3°25'E, 100 m above sea level) to examine growth, fruit characteristics as well as seed yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill), cultivar Roma vf in response to fertilizer treatments. Fertilizer types used were, NPK 15:15:15 (300 kg/ha), Poultry manure (10 t/ha), combination of N. P. K 15:15:15 (150 kg/ha) + Poultry manure (5 t/ha) and a control. Treatments were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were taken on number of leaves, plant height, leaf area, number of branches, number of flowers, number of fruits, fruit length, fruit width, fruit yield, unit fruit weight, number and weight of seeds per fruit. Fruit characteristics were correlated with seed yield to determine the relationship between them. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated with least significant difference (LSD 0.05). Result: Tomato fruits from plots that received a combination of N. P. K 15:15:15 (150 kg/ha) and Poultry manure had higher fruit yield (5 t/ha) and by inference higher number of seeds, compared with the control. Correlation of fruit weight with number of seeds showed that the higher the fruit weight, the higher the number of seeds per fruit. Fruit length had positive correlation with plant height and fruit diameter. Number of leaves determines fruit weight which invariably determines number and weight of seeds. High number of leaves resulted in low seed weight

Response of lowland rice varieties to integrated nutrient management in a derived Savannah agro-ecology

In the inland valley (FADAMA) of the Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) in Nigeria, an experiment was conducted successfully. The objective was to see how integrated nutrient sources influenced the performance of two lowland varieties of rice. A split-plot two-factorial experiment was used in the study, and it was replicated three times in a randomized complete block design. Rice seedlings were transplanted 12 days after being planted in the nursery to a depth of 3 cm and a spacing of 20 cm × 20 cm, one seedling per hill. Two varieties and six nutrient sources were used for the research. Rice yield and growth data were collected. ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was used on data, and the significant means were separated using Tukey HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) at a probability level of 5%. ARICA 3 grew taller than NERICA L-34 as a result of the research. ARICA (Advanced Rice Varieties for Africa) 3 exceeded NERICA (The New Rice for Africa) L-34 in terms of shoot dry weight (4 WAP (Weeks After Planting) (1.53) and 6 WAP (1.53 g), respectively (5.60 g). Rice cultivars produced the highest grain when 25 kg N ha-1 (NPK 20:10:10) and 75 kg N/ha (Poultry manure) were applied.

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB),2022/2023 JUPEB A'LEVEL APPLICATION form ☎️"07066280862 Post UTME/Direct Entry (DE)/Admission Form 07066280862 on how to purchase the form and register online, For Admission Process on how to be admitted and mode of payment of School Fee And Acceptance Fee Contact Office of the registrar on +2347066280862 more Inquiry On GUIDELINES AND ADMISSION ASSISTANCE CALL PROF

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB),2022/2023 JUPEB A'LEVEL APPLICATION form ☎️"07066280862 Post UTME/Direct Entry (DE)/Admission Form 07066280862 on how to purchase the form and register online, For Admission Process on how to be admitted and mode of payment of School Fee And Acceptance Fee Contact Office of the registrar on +2347066280862 more Inquiry On GUIDELINES AND ADMISSION ASSISTANCE CALL PROF

PROFITABILITY AND TIME CONSUMPTION AS INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS WEED CONTROL METHODS IN CURCUMA AMADA ROXB.

<p>To determine the profitability and time consumption of various weed control options in mango ginger, the field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (07° 20 N, 3° 23 E, 159 m above sea level) in the forest – savannah transition agroecology of Nigeria in the early cropping seasons of 2016 and 2017. Randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used to evaluate ten weed control strategies and replicated three times. Data collected on weed cover, plant biomass, and rhizome yield were analyzed using ANOVA, and treatment means were separated using the least significant difference at p0.05. Results indicated that the highest man days in weeding was observed on the plots weeded five times at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after planting (WAP), while application of pre emergence herbicides generally reduced time spend on weeding. Despite the fact that weeding at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 WAP had the maximum rhizome production and yielded the highest gross return, application of oxyfluorfen (oxyf) at 0.24 kg a.i/ha as a pre and post emergence herbicide yielded the highest benefit cost ratio.</p>

An Internet-of-Things based Real-time Monitoring System for Smart Classroom

The Development in technology has brought about a common norm of communicating and interacting with appliances remotely using portable devices like laptops and smartphones that have Internet connections. This is possible with the use of the Internet of Things, popularly referred to as IoT. This paper presents a system by which classroom held interactions specifically seat allotment is made a simpler process by secured automation coupled with the Internet of Things to develop a system that enables a person or group of people to remotely monitor seat allotment, de-allotment with precision over a wide distance. Traditional means of allotment are quite slow and tiresome especially when dealing with a large number of students. Hence there is a need to develop a system to automatically allot, track, and monitor real-time seats in a classroom. In this research, an IoT seat allotment system is proposed; the system is developed and tested within a smart classroom environment using the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria as a case study. The system is implemented on Arduino IDE using C++ programming language and a prototype of the mobile IoT seat allotment application is developed using Java programming language. Through experimental analysis, it was discovered that the IoT Seat allotment achieved the ranges of 30 % to 50 % reduced time, and higher accuracy when compared with the traditional seat allotment method.

Physiochemical and Sensory Attribute of Breakfast Cereals from Blends of Finger Millet, Soy Cake, and Beetroot

This study was carried out to evaluate the proximate, functional properties, anti-nutritional factors, amino acid, and sensory evaluation of extruded products from Finger millet, Soy cake, and Beetroot. The samples were prepared at different mixing ratios: Sample F (100% Finger millet), FS (70% Finger millet flour and 30% Soycake), FB (85% Finger millet flour and 15% Beetroot flour), and FSB (60% Finger millet, 30% Soycake and 10% Beetroot). The formulated flours were extruded using a Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta fabricated laboratory single-screw extruder at barrel temperature (100ºC), feed moisture content of 10%, and screw speed (90 rpm). The proximate composition, mineral composition, amino acid, and anti-nutritional were standard methods. The following range of values were obtained for carbohydrate (30.51-70.17%), protein (10.23-17.16%), fat (7.55-10.66%), moisture (1.01-8.10%), fibre (3.21-3.81%) and ash (8.00-12.05%) content. The extruded products' carbohydrate, protein, fat, and ash contents increased while moisture and fat contents reduced. The extruded products' functional properties increased compared with the flours except for oil absorption capacity. The saponin and tannin levels were reduced, possibly due to extrusion. The highest amino acid value was glutamic acid. It was observed from the sensory evaluation that sample FSB was more acceptable to the panelists.

Effects of Varying Levels of High Quality Cassava Flour on Quality Characteristics of Chicken Sausage Produced

A laboratory experiment laid out in a complete randomized design was conducted in the school laboratory in the department of Animal production and health in the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta. To determine the Effect of high-quality cassava flour and quality characteristics on proximate composition, sensory evaluation and micro waved and refrigeration weight losses on chicken sausage produced. It included five treatments with three replicates each. The first treatment having 25% wheat flour varied with O% cassava flour, treatment 2 has 18.75% wheat flour varied with 6.25% of cassava flour, treatment 3 has 12.5% of wheat flour varied with 12.5% of cassava flour, treatment 4 has 6.25% of wheat flour varied with 18.75% of cassava flour, treatment 5 has 0% wheat flour varied with 25% of cassava flour. Results obtained show that high quality cassava flour can be supplemented with wheat flour at a percentage of 6.25% given a higher crude protein of about 13.56% in treatment 2. The highest fibre and fat content was recorded in treatment 1 with 5.28% and 19.90%. The refrigeration weight loss ranged from 0.53% - 1.03% while microwave weight loss ranges from 5.9% - 7.59%. It also shows that the overall acceptability was the highest in treatment 1 having no % of cassava flour. Therefore, high quality cassava flour cannot replace wheat flour in a 100% ration. Keywords: Cassava Flour, Quality Characteristics, Chicken Sausage DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/114-05 Publication date: April 30 th 2022

Influence of Different Weed Control Methods on Weed Density and Relative Importance Value of Weeds in Mango Ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.)

Field trials were conducted in the early cropping seasons of 2016 and 2017 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (07° 20ʹN , 3° 23ʹE 159 m above sea level) in a derive savannah agro ecology region of South-western Nigeria to evaluate the effect of weed control methods on weed density and weed species composition in mango ginger. Ten weed control methods were evaluated and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data collected on weed density were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and treatment means separated using 5% least significant difference (LSD at p ≤ 0.05). Data collected on weed species composition were used to compute relative importance value (RIV). At 8 WAP, there was 48.51 to 96.55% reduction in weed density relative to the maximum on the weedy check plots as a result of different weed control methods. At 24 WAP, there was 34.48% to 55.17% reduction in number of weed species relative to the maximum on the weedy check plots as a result of different weed control methods. Our findings revealed reduction in the dominance of Chromolaena odorata, Commelina benghalensis, Mariscus alternifolius, Passiflora foetida, Perotis indica and Triumpheta cordifolia with the use of oxyfluorfen (oxy) as pre-emergence herbicide. However, further research is needed to prevent the dominance of Panicum maximum in mango ginger.

Multivariate Analysis of Seasonal Variation in Groundwater Quality within Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria

This research work was aimed at analyzing the data of the seasonal variation of groundwater quality in the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) environment using descriptive statistics and a covariance matrix analysis of the data set for both rainy and dry seasons to see the effect of the water quality parameters on each other. Cluster analysis was also carried out on the data set to check the level of the Euclidean distance between the water quality parameters. The data used for this analysis was secondary data obtained from groundwater sources (ten wells) within the University environment during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. It was observed that there is a slight variation in the quality of groundwater in the FUNAAB environment as regards the dry season and the rainy season. In the result of the cluster analysis, the water quality parameters are clustered into seven groups for the dry season and eight groups for the rainy season which indicate that the dissimilarities in the data set increase during the rainy season. It was observed that for the dry season covariance data, 36% of the values have a negative relationship within themselves and 64% has a positive relationship, as compared to the rainy season data which possesses a 31% negative relationship and a 69% positive relation. This implies that there is only a 5% variation in the entire data set of the dry season and the raining season as regards the interdependence of the water quality parameters on each other.
 Keywords: Groundwater, Physico-Chemical, Water Quality, Wells

Supporting the academic community at The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on how to use the open access research discovery solution Dimensions

Training Centre in Communication (TCC Africa) hosted the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) how to use the open access research discovery solution, Dimensions to improve their research output and increase visibility.

Supporting the academic community at The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on how to use the open access research discovery solution Dimensions

Supporting the academic community at The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) on how to use the open access research discovery solution Dimensions

THE PERCEPTION, AWARENESS AND USE OF GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING SERVICES BY UNDERGRADUATES OF THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

This research investigated perception, awareness and use of Guidance and Counselling Services (G&CS) by undergraduates of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). Simple random sampling technique was used to sample 283 respondents across the ten (10) Colleges in the Institution. Data were collected with the aid of questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, and mean. The questionnaire was subjected to a pilot study that revealed psychometric properties of Cronbach's Apha 0.86. Results revealed that 91.1% of the respondents were aware of G&CS and 74.6% of the respondents currently using the services indicated that it was very helpful. The rating of the counselling needs of the respondents revealed that academic issues with a mean of 3.62 is the most important factor, followed by examination pressure management which had a mean of 3.51. The rating of the perception of students on the quality and effectiveness of G&CS indicated that organized orientation services for fresh students ranked first (mean = 2.55), while effective counselling on personal, social, academic and vocational challenges ranked second (mean = 2.49). The fresher's orientation service received the highest perception (mean = 2.55) among respondents on the quality and effectiveness of G&CS in the institution. The use of G&CS is presently assisting students to attain competencies needed to overcome academic, career and personal concerns. The study concluded that the G&CS needs of the students across the Colleges differ due to the dissimilarities in their disciplines across the University.
 

Influence of different weed control methods on weed biomass, growth and yield of mango ginger (Curcuma amada Roxb.) in forest savannah transition agro-ecological zone of Nigeria

Field trials were conducted in the early cropping seasons of 2016 and 2017 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (07° 20ʹN , 3° 23ʹE 159 m above sea level) in the forest – savannah transition agroecology of South-western Nigeria to evaluate the effect of weed control methods on weed biomass, growth and yield of mango ginger. Ten weed control methods were evaluated and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected on weed biomass, crop vigour score, stand count, number of rhizomes and rhizome yield. Results on weed biomass at 8 WAP showed that plots treated with different rates of pre emergence herbicide gave lower weed biomass than plots hoe weeded plots. Also at 24 WAP, plots treated with pre emergence herbicide followed by different post emergence treatments gave lower weed biomass than plots when only pre emergence herbicide was applied. In both years, plots hoe weeded five times at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 WAP gave the highest rhizome yield. Application of only pre emergence herbicide throughout crop life cycle irrespective of the rate resulted in 60.7 to 62.0 % reduction in rhizome yield relative to the maximum across the two years. Uncontrolled weed interference resulted in 91.9 and 92.1 % rhizome yield reduction in 2016 and 2017, respectively. This study reveals that, mango ginger being a long seasoned crop should be kept weed free beyond 12 WAP for acceptable yield.

Self-esteem of agriculture students at the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria


 
 
 The study investigated self-esteem of agriculture students of the University of Ibadan and the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta in Southwestern, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 117 and 124 students from the conventional university and agriculture-based university respectively. A structured questionnaire was used in data collection and analysed with percentages, Chi-square, PPMC and independent t-test. The students from the University of Ibadan (UI) preferred medicine (x̄ = 1.14), had unfavourable perception (87.2%) about agriculture and low self-esteem (85.5%) while students from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) preferred agriculture (x̄ = 1.48), had favourable perception (82.7%) about agriculture and high self-esteem (89.5%). Self-esteem was significantly related to family structure and preferred course of study in UI while sex and perception towards agriculture is significantly related to self-esteem of students in FUNAAB. There were significant differences in self-esteem of students in UI and FUNAAB and that of 100 level and 500 level students in UI. School counsellors should promote careers and opportunities in agriculture to make it popular and attractive to the students.
 
 

Prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths in Some Birds Kept at Federal University Of Agriculture Abeokuta (FUNAAB) Zoo Park, Abeokuta, Nigeria

Captive-held wild animals are those housed in zoological exhibits, rehabilitation centres, zoos, research stations, sanctuaries, aquaria, circuses, and plantations. However, parasitic diseases constitute one of the major problems causing mortality in these animals while in captivity. The effects range from sub-clinical to death; hence, the study was conducted to assess the gastrointestinal parasite profile of birds kept in Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta ZooPark. Freshly voided faecal samples of Psittacus erithacus, Psittacula krameri, Balaerica pavonina, pavo cristatus, Chen caerulescens, Struthio camelus and Anas platyrhynchos were collected before routine cleaning. Samples were collected weekly for 8 weeks between 7am- 9am within the month of October and November, 2019. A total of 56 faecal samples from 7 birds were picked from the ground by utilizing a sterile scoop for each animal species to avoid cross contamination. Each sample was put in a new labelled sterile bottle with the name of each bird from which the faecal sample was collected. Samples were then transported to the laboratory for microscopic analysis which was done within 24 hours. Egg counting was done using the McMaster Egg Counting Technique. Identification of intestinal helminth ova was done by using the keys. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 20.0 and Microsoft excel. Prevalence was calculated while the weekly egg counts of intestinal helminthes were presented using descriptive statistics. The distribution of intestinalhelminthes infections among the surveyed birds vary from (Psittacula krameri 100%, pavo cristatus 100%, Psittacus erithacus 66.67%, Balaerica pavonina 66.67%, Chen caerulescens 66.67%, Struthio camelus 66.67%, and Anas platyrhynchos 66.67%). In conclusion, the prevalence of soil transmitted helminthes revealed that Ascaridiagalli andStrongyloides spp had the highest prevalence among the birds with 100% while Raillietina spp recorded the lowest prevalence with 28.6%.

Detection Efficiency of a NaI (Tl) Gamma Spectrometry System for Measurement of Low Level Radioactivity

Qualitative analysis of radionuclides requires the use of reliable gamma-ray detection system. The NaI(Tl) detector has been widely used and still one of the most used detectors today. It is therefore imperative to validate the reliability of the 5x5 cm2 NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometry system used in carrying out gamma-ray analysis of soil samples in the Radiation and Health Laboratory, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria. The gamma ray spectrometer is housed in a 5 cm thick cylindrical lead shield. Calibration was executed using standard materials produced under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Resolution and detection limit (LD) of the detector were determined using full width at half the maximum of the energy peak of 137Cs and background signal level of the reference materials respectively. Counting efficiencies of the detector was calculated using energies of 1460 keV, 1764keV and 2615 keV for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th respectively. Secondary samples, RGMIX1 and RGMIX2 were formulated and counted to calculate activity concentrations using the NaI(Tl) detector. Resolution of the detector was calculated to be 7.8% of 137Cs, which is good for a NaI(Tl) detector. The counting efficiency of the detector is seen to depend on the gamma ray energy. The results from this work shows that the detector system is suitable gamma spectrometry, and will give quality measurements when used for quantitative determination of radionuclides in environmental samples. The efficiency and resolution of the NaI(Tl) detector should also be determined using photon energies obtained from other radioactive sources.

Retrospective Analysis of Babesiosis in Dogs presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria, From 2007 - 2015

A 9-year retrospective analysis of clinical records of dogs presented at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), between 2007 and 2015 was done to determine the prevalence of babesiosis. A total of 2457 File cases were reviewed and dogs diagnosed with Babesia infection were analysed for the following parameters: sex, age, medication, mortality and year of occurrence. Data generated were analyzed with One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), using Graph Pad Prism 7 software. Chi square was used to determine the difference between sexes. Of the 2457 cases presented during the study period, 574 (23.4%) were diagnosed to be babesiosis. This comprised of 266 (46.3%) males and 308 (53.7%) females, with prevalence rates of 10.9% and 12.6% respectively. Relapse cases were 120 (20.9%) while mortality rate was 41 (7.1%). Diminazene aceturate, imidocarb and oxytetracycline were the drugs used in treating canine babesiosis during the period. Among these drugs, oxytetracycline was the most frequently used, but had the highest percentage of relapsed and mortality cases. It was concluded that the prevalence of canine babesiosis in VTH, FUNAAB is high and the highest percentage of relapsed and mortality cases was recorded with use of oxytetracycline.
 Keywords: Babesiosis, dogs, Prevalence,

Assessing the impact of the adoption of agroforestry technology on food production and poverty reduction among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria

Assessing the impact of the adoption of agroforestry technology on food production and poverty reduction among farming households in Oyo State, Nigeria